Professor Stuart Wenham of the University of New South Wales is currently working with a number of Asian battery manufacturers on technology research and development, and its technological innovations are expected to improve the quality of wafers and battery performance.
Prof. Wenham received an exclusive interview with PV Tech Daily PV News at the EU PVSEC held in Paris last week. He stated that several major battery manufacturers in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore will work together with UNSW on the hydrogen passivation process and the transformation of the equipment. This process will help increase the quality of silicon wafers, and it is possible that Improve the efficiency of the battery while ensuring low costs.
“UNSW has been researching this technology for several years and we can already show our technology to manufacturers very simply,†he said. “These manufacturers are very interested in our display and hope to jointly fund UNSW. Conduct research and development and cooperate in the process of industrialization."
Unlike previous collaborations or patent grants, Prof. Wenham said: “(The hydrogen passivation process) is not a monolithic battery design. It is just a process to improve the quality of silicon wafers. At present, it seems that this process can work with all battery manufacturers. The production process is compatible."
"So, in our display to manufacturers, no matter what kind of battery technology they use, no matter what kind of silicon they use, we can always improve the quality of their silicon."
Hydrogen passivation process
Prof. Wenham said that although PV industry is more or less aware of hydrogen passivation technology, UNSW's research still shows how shallow the understanding of hydrogen bluntness has been. This technology may improve battery performance without increasing costs.
“At present, our focus is mainly on how to control the amount of hydrogen in the silicon, if we can control it, we can greatly increase the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in silicon materials, improve the hydrogen passivation defects or other compound centers. Efficiency, so any manufacturer using a silicon-based battery can theoretically use this technology at a very low cost."
Cooperative R&D
At present, there are already about 10 battery manufacturers contracting this cooperative R&D project. This cooperative R&D model like the joint venture company is more common in the semiconductor industry, but it has not yet been popularized in the photovoltaic industry.
However, Professor Wenham also pointed out that not only Asian battery manufacturers participated in the project, but also equipment manufacturers in Europe, including Meyerburger and Schmid, donated some equipment for the project and reformed the hydrogen passivation process.
Professor Wenham said that the final equipment manufacturer will launch commercial equipment designed specifically for hydrogen passivation.
“This kind of R&D cooperation can give you a better return on every penny you invest. I estimate that each company may actually spend only 5% of the total R&D costs. Apart from about 10 companies, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, ARENA The remainder of the research and development costs will be provided."
In the current difficult times of the industry, manufacturers may be more interested in such cooperation. However, although the basic processes for battery manufacturing are similar, various manufacturers will obtain different efficiency improvements due to different battery designs.
Schedule
Unlike the traditional university-led next-generation battery technology R&D projects, the commercialization of the hydrogen passivation project will be more rapid.
“We expect this technology can be integrated into existing battery production lines almost immediately. But I think that if we want to explore the full potential of hydrogen passivation, we also need to work with our partners to find a revolutionary battery design. We believe in our partners. It is certain that this technology will benefit from improved battery performance," Professor Wenham concluded.
Uvc Ozone Lamp,Ultraviolet Lamp,Uv Light For Plants,Ozone Lamp
Foshan Kingrate Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.kingrateuv.com